Well, yeah:
I don't use an SVT, but I'm guessing this setting would sound like crap on any amp, with any bass.
Exactly. Just like any other setup, it's how you use it that matters.
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The basic flaw in the p-bass
- Thread starter Ric5
- Start date
Well, yeah:
That's fine. As I said, we all play with different approaches.
However, simple Physics dictates that the ultra-low action setups limit the amount of vibrational energy you can impart into the string before it frets out. Ergo a limitation on what the pup sees and converts into signal.
This is what amplifiers are for. They make things louder without giving the user tendinitis.
Playing hard and playing softly will result in a different timbre.
The different combinations of playing hard/soft with high/low action will result in different timbres, as well.
One isn't inherently better than the other. They're just different flavors.
I'm about to start rehearsal with my band using my SX P-bass with flats. It has a tone knob, I know what the knob does. Why is this even an issue? Very confusing thread here. BTW I also own and play a RIC 4003. Does this make me infidel?
... And we're about to hit 13 pages lol. 
Ok, maybe I'm being too assumptive. But I can't help but think most members of this forum know what the tone control on a Fender Precision bass does. On any passive bass, for that matter.
#1: The tone control does not "add treble"
#2: If you're tone control is "all the way up", you're pickup is basically wide open (well, wiring directly to ground without a tone pot is the only way to really do this, but whatever).
#3: By 'wide open', we mean the pickup is basically in it's natural state. THIS is what the pickup sounds like without any resistance.
#4: Using your tone control - as in, turning it "down" - is actually turning it "up".
#5: Turning it "up" is actually turning it "on".
#6: But in a nutshell (and I'm hoping someone can get more specific with this), what is basically happening is your are bleeding a particular range of frequency to ground. Hence, the "fatter" and "warmer" sound. You're filtering out your high end. But you are NOT adding anything...
#7: And by turning it back "up", you're actually turning it 'off' again. When it's up 'all the way/wide open', your pickup is back in its natural state.
Again, I'm sure someone can break that down a little better than I can and give some numbers as to what you're actually doing with the tone pot (and different kinds of tone pot - 250k, 500k, etc). But you get the idea.
Everyone knows (or should know) that you can get a decent range of tone(s) from a split coil precision bass. It doesn't have the versatility or a Jazz (for example) but it gets the job done for almost (*almost*) all styles.
One trick pony? You betcha. But name another pony can do that trick as good, and then some. And if you can, I bet it's based on the Precision in one way or another.
Pick/fingers/placement/amp/TONE CONTROL/etc. This thread seems to be going nowhere fast lol.
It shouldn't be an insulting quote, but honestly "If you can't get it done with a p-bass, then maybe you can't get it done". I actually think Jeff Beck may have said that about the Fender Telecaster. Bang on.
Of course other basses are going to fit your bill. Maybe you've got your own perfect fit. But come on. No disrespect to the Ox or anyone else, but the Fender Precision bass has enough bottom. Frick.
Ok, maybe I'm being too assumptive. But I can't help but think most members of this forum know what the tone control on a Fender Precision bass does. On any passive bass, for that matter.
#1: The tone control does not "add treble"
#2: If you're tone control is "all the way up", you're pickup is basically wide open (well, wiring directly to ground without a tone pot is the only way to really do this, but whatever).
#3: By 'wide open', we mean the pickup is basically in it's natural state. THIS is what the pickup sounds like without any resistance.
#4: Using your tone control - as in, turning it "down" - is actually turning it "up".
#5: Turning it "up" is actually turning it "on".
#6: But in a nutshell (and I'm hoping someone can get more specific with this), what is basically happening is your are bleeding a particular range of frequency to ground. Hence, the "fatter" and "warmer" sound. You're filtering out your high end. But you are NOT adding anything...
#7: And by turning it back "up", you're actually turning it 'off' again. When it's up 'all the way/wide open', your pickup is back in its natural state.
Again, I'm sure someone can break that down a little better than I can and give some numbers as to what you're actually doing with the tone pot (and different kinds of tone pot - 250k, 500k, etc). But you get the idea.
Everyone knows (or should know) that you can get a decent range of tone(s) from a split coil precision bass. It doesn't have the versatility or a Jazz (for example) but it gets the job done for almost (*almost*) all styles.
One trick pony? You betcha. But name another pony can do that trick as good, and then some. And if you can, I bet it's based on the Precision in one way or another.
Pick/fingers/placement/amp/TONE CONTROL/etc. This thread seems to be going nowhere fast lol.
It shouldn't be an insulting quote, but honestly "If you can't get it done with a p-bass, then maybe you can't get it done". I actually think Jeff Beck may have said that about the Fender Telecaster. Bang on.
Of course other basses are going to fit your bill. Maybe you've got your own perfect fit. But come on. No disrespect to the Ox or anyone else, but the Fender Precision bass has enough bottom. Frick.
This is a pretty stupid thread but that's just my opinion. That's what this is all about "opinions". I personally like the tone of a Pbass better than the others including my Geddy Lee Jazz bass. I think they sit in the mix better and just work better all the way around. Again this is just my opinion.
Hopkins
Commercial User
You can't possibly loose any low end by having the tone knob all the way up. The tone knob bleeds off treble frequencies to ground through the capacitor. It doesn't add low end when it is rolled off. The low end is there no matter where the knob position is.
Thank you!
At least a few of us are on the same page here lol.
See my post above? haha
Actually it does add some low mids when rolled way down due to resonance changes (try it, it's not hard to hear) and that's what leads to the mis perception of it adding bass to the signal.
Thank you!
At least a few of us are on the same page here lol.
See my post above? haha
It's all relative. If you mix more treble into your tone it's going to sound thinner.
If you've ever played an amp without a mid control you know you can increase mids by turning the bass and treble down and increasing volume....and vice versa.
This is the same principal.
The tone control on my Precision never goes more than a quarter towards the treble. That range is the sweet spot on my 96 P.
Hopkins
Commercial User
Exactly, all it does it bleed which ever frequencies the cap passes through to ground.
Isn't it just going to sound like there's more treble? I generally play with a grindy trebly tone and everyone comments that the low end is completely present. If I remove the grind and treble, this means that my low end should increase based on your statement correct?
it's kind of shocking that the Ox (and many on this forum) don't understand this.
You guys are all missing something that's right there if you'd go try it. On all my passives there's a mid boost when the tone is fully off. This goes away when you start to dial it back up, before treble frequencies become audible. If you don't hear it it's because you aren't listening.
